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(opens in new window) Populated for centuries by aboriginal
peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following
Columbus' second voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of
colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and
African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result
of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in
1917. Popularly-elected governors have served since 1948. In 1952, a
constitution was enacted providing for internal self government. In
plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters chose to retain
commonwealth status. Caribbean, island between the Caribbean
Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic
18 15 N, 66 30 W total: 9,104
sq km tropical marine, mild; little seasonal
temperature variation mostly mountains with coastal plain belt
in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along
most coastal areas lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m some copper and nickel; potential for
onshore and offshore oil arable land:
3.95% 400 sq km (1998 est.) periodic droughts; hurricanes erosion; occasional drought causing water
shortages important location along the Mona Passage
- a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest
and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high
central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry;
fertile coastal plain belt in north 3,897,960 (July 2004 est.) white (mostly Spanish origin) 80.5%, black
8%, Amerindian 0.4%, Asian 0.2%, mixed and other 10.9% Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other
15% Spanish, English commonwealth associated with the US
commonwealth San Juan none (commonwealth associated with the
US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US
Government, but there are 78 municipalities (municipios, singular -
municipio) at the second order; Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas Buenas,
Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta, Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo
Rojo, Caguas, Camuy, Canovanas, Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales,
Cidra, Coamo, Comerio, Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica,
Guayama, Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Humacao,
Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Las Piedras,
Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo, Mayaguez, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo,
Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Penuelas, Ponce, Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio
Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San
Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega
Alta, Vega Baja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto
Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952) ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US
Congress 3 July 1952; effective 25 July 1952 based on Spanish civil code and within the
US Federal system of justice Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic
economies in the Caribbean region. A diverse industrial sector has far
surpassed agriculture as the primary locus of economic activity and income.
Encouraged by duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US firms
have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US minimum wage laws
apply. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production and other livestock
products as the main source of income in the agricultural sector. Tourism
has traditionally been an important source of income, with estimated
arrivals of nearly 5 million tourists in 1999. Growth fell off in 2001-03,
largely due to the slowdown in the US economy. 6.5% (2003 est.) 1.3 million (2000) agriculture 3%, industry 20%, services 77%
(2000 est.) sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains,
bananas, livestock products, chickens pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel,
food products, tourism chemicals, electronics, apparel, canned
tuna, rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment US 90.3%, UK 1.6%, Netherlands 1.4%,
Dominican Republic 1.4% (2002 est.) chemicals, machinery and equipment,
clothing, food, fish, petroleum products US 55.0%, Ireland 23.7%, Japan 5.4% (2002
est.) US dollar (USD) 1,329,500 (2002) 1,211,111 (2001) general assessment:
modern system integrated with that of the US by high-capacity submarine
cable and Intelsat with high-speed data capability total: 96 km
total: 14,400
km Aguadilla, Arecibo, Fajardo, Guanica,
Guayanilla, Guayama, Mayaguez, Playa de Ponce, San Juan total: 2
ships (1,000 GRT or over) 36,728 GRT/37,048 DWT 30 (2003 est.) total: 17 total: 13 defence is the responsibility of the US
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